In Broward County, the owner of A-One Pawnbroker, Ronald Plavnicky has found himself in deep trouble with the law after being hit with over 500 charges for dealing in stolen property, and for slipping up on the requirements of the Florida Pawnbroking Act. Plavnicky, who operates his business in Pompano Beach, stepped into handcuffs this past Thursday.
According to Local 10, detectives indicate that Plavnicky has been purchasing items ‘substantially below the fair market value.’ A key sign that he should have recognized these items as stolen, such as a Goodyear air compressor and a Bose speaker, is that many still had "theft deterrent spider wires still attached." The scheme ran deep, as the owner even went as far as advising an undercover detective on shoplifting tactics, including a wardrobe change to avoid detection.
Plavnicky’s arrest has showcased the darker side of pawn shop operations, where stolen goods often find a rapid and clandestine resell market, undermining retail businesses and the lawful exchange of goods. Despite being informed by BSO in June 2022, that reporting pawn transactions was not only a duty but a legal necessity, Plavnicky neglected this mandate as of last Wednesday, notes Local 10.
Moreover, as highlighted by CBS News Miami, A-One Pawnbroker has been notably absent from Leads Online, the crucial electronic database where pawned items must be reported within 24 hours. Plavnicky evidently evaded this process, an act that the authorities believe was an intentional move ‘in an attempt to deter law enforcement.’
In what seems like a meticulous endeavor to maintain a facade of legitimacy, Plavnicky resorted to Instagram for advertising the pawn shop's inventory. It's a move that hardly complements the store's inactive website. As a result of the investigation's findings, a bond court set Plavnicky's bond at $110,000, a significant amount, but perhaps a fitting collateral for the ledger of charges he must now face.
